[Explanation] Recently, a temporary food discount supermarket in Chengdu, Sichuan has attracted a lot of public attention.
In a temporary food discount supermarket in Chengdu’s Pidu District, snacks, beverages, condiments, daily necessities, etc. are all available, and the prices are almost half lower than the market price. The original price of about 20 yuan for coffee drinks is as low as 10 yuan. The prices of beverages such as herbal tea, soda, soda, and beer are mostly between 1 yuan and 3 yuan.
[Concurrent] Mr. Zhao, a citizen of Chengdu
I only came when I heard that the price was low.
Affordable, because the supermarket must be expensive (some), it (the discount supermarket goods) expires (provisional) is not a week or two, it can still be a month.
[Explanation] It is understood that this temporary food discount supermarket opened in July 2021 and soon became a shopping paradise for nearby residents.
Even on weekdays, customers with large shopping bags continue to walk out of it.
[Concurrent] Cai Haoxi, Head of Chengdu Temporary Food Discount Supermarket
The most important of our (consumer) groups are ordinary people.
Instant noodles (sales) are faster, like self-heating hot pot, our Starbucks (coffee beverage) sells better because it is cheaper than outside.
In summer, the water goes (sells) faster.
We also have dumplings for household use (quick-frozen food).
As long as there are children in the family, everyone in the family buys dumplings and glutinous rice balls.
[Explanation] The safety of temporary food has also attracted consumers' attention.
Cai Haoxi said that in order to ensure food safety, the food brands and types they sell are mainly fast-moving consumer goods, and they choose the full box of goods at the same time when they buy, and they will also mark the shelf life time when they are sold to remind consumers.
At the same time, industry regulatory agencies have also strengthened their management efforts.
[Concurrent] Luo Jinyan, the relevant person in charge of the Market Supervision Bureau of Pidu District, Chengdu
As an industry supervisory authority, (to) operators of impending foods, (require) to give consumers a striking reminder of foods that are about to expire.
(At the same time) strengthen the intensity and frequency of our daily inspections and surprise inspections.
For foods found in the business premises that do not have a sales account, are corrupt, have abnormal sensory shapes, and have exceeded their shelf life, our market supervision department will deal with them in accordance with laws and regulations.
[Explanation] There are also experts who believe that food in the shelf life and food spoilage are two concepts. Long-term and large-scale consumption of impending food may have adverse health consequences, and consumers should consume rationally.
[Concurrent] Li Yun, Professor, Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, West China School of Public Health, Sichuan University
Some foods that have not reached the expiration date have spoiled a lot, because in addition to the expiration date, the food is also related to the packaging.
No one can guarantee that (food) will be safe after the expiration date, or it will be unsafe.
As for when the problem occurs, different foods have different situations.
Our consumers should choose the right amount according to their own consumption.
Don’t eat more than usual in order to consume this impending food.
[Explanation] According to statistics from the Sichuan Provincial Chain Business Association, there have been no less than 30 temporary food specialty stores in Chengdu since 2020, and the data is expected to continue to increase in the future.
Wu Lijuan, secretary of the party branch of the Sichuan Chain Business Association, believes that consumers now want to spend less and enjoy products of the same quality, which to a certain extent reflects that consumers have become more practical and rational.
[Concurrent] Wu Lijuan, Secretary of the Party Branch of Sichuan Chain Store Association
We understand that the current temporary specialty store is actually a product in a more segmented market.
In fact, this is the same as our community group buying or warehouse-style membership store. It just makes this product more subdivided and more precise.
I think this is a phenomenon, that is, we may not realize in the past that our consumption was in the process of pursuing the brand. In fact, we paid a lot of non-product practical value. Now starting from the younger generation, They have returned to the essence of consumption. It is not that he does not have the money to consume, but that he consumes very rationally and very practically.
[Explanation] Now, Cai Haoxi has opened two large temporary food discount supermarkets. He hopes to open community stores and street stores in the future to expand his "territory" of temporary food to the whole of Chengdu.
Yang Yudian reports from Chengdu, Sichuan
Editor in charge: 【Luo Pan】